Dental Laboratories Key Terms

To work in a dental laboratory you need to know dental lingo

A dental laboratory is a place where lab procedures are carried out to improve dental health. In some laboratories, technicians perform all stages of the work, whereas in other labs, each technician does only a few of the necessary tasks. Generally, once the dentist decides the treatment plan and the tooth or teeth are x-rayed and prepared, an impression is made of the mouth and sent to the laboratory. There are numerous phases of work performed on the impression to develop the ordered implants. Although working in a laboratory does not require licensing or certification, knowledge of industry lingo will certainly help you succeed in this field.

 

Casting machines and metal alloys

Casting machines are used to melt and cast different types of alloys. Metal alloys or castings are used to restore or replace teeth. They are also used to construct partial dentures.
Try: Learn more about casting machines and what they do through RDO Induction. Go to abymc.com to learn how a crown is cast. DoctorSpiller.com offers an online course on dental alloys.

Periodontists and dental implants

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases. Periodontal diseases are infections caused by bacterial plaque that effect the supporting bone around natural teeth. The periodontist is responsible for correcting the teeth and gums by providing and placing dental implants. Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements created in a dental laboratory.
Try: Refer to DrGartner.com for an in-depth description of a periodontist. Learn more about dental implants through American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Dental veneers

Dental veneers are thin coverings of porcelain or composite placed over the enamel of a damaged tooth. They can be created by a dental technician in a dental laboratory or fabricated directly inside of the mouth at the dental office.
Try: Learn more about dental veneers through the Cosmetic Guide to Dentistry.

Typodont and dental models

A typodont is a model of the oral cavity. The typodont is often used by dental students as a means of practicing dental procedures. Typodonts are also use by orthodontists to aide in the placement of braces.
Try: Learn about typodonts and dental models at Dental Model Plus.

Pickling solution

Pickling solution is a prepared solution that removes the surface film from a cast restoration. This procedure is often carried out in the laboratory by a dental technician.
Try: Learn more about the pickling solution in The American Textbook of Prosthetic Dentistry.

Inlays and onlays

An inlay is a cast restoration that fits inside a particular tooth to protect or correct damage while an onlay is used to correct damage that has spread to multiple teeth.
Try: DocShop.com, an online resource offered by Einstein Industries, offers a complete explanation of the difference between inlays and onlays.

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